Telephone-station equipment



. 2, 1930. N. H. SAUNDERS ET AL 1,783,310 TELEPHONE STATION EQUIPMENT Original Filed Dec.

22, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 x8 imm a xom 3mm Ian-111m Norman H. Eaundzr:

Ell-Irina: E. Lam!!- Thlnclur'l EEilEl Dec. 2,,1930. N. H. SAUNDERS ET AL 1,733,310

TELEPHONE STATION EQUIPMENT Original Fil ed Dec. 22, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nor-mam H. Eaunclars Clarence E. Lnmax I Teudur'e [IRieEe MEE- Patented Dec. 2, I930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- NORMAN IIERIBERT SAUNDERS, OF HOMEWOOD, CLARENCE E. LOMAX OF OAK PARK, AND THEODORE C. RIEBE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS '10 RESERVE HOLDING COMPANY, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF- DELAWARE TELEPHONE-STATION EQUIPMENT Application filed December 22, 1927, SerialNo. 241,746. Renewed May 2, 1929 This invention relatesto telephone systems in general, but is more particularly concerned with telephone substation and secretary service equipment.

In business offices and the like, various arrangements are employed whereby calls to the officials may be answered by their secre taries or stenographers from their own telephones, so that if the person called is not in his oflice at the time or is too busy to answer,

his secretary or stenographer may inform the calling subscriber accordingly. One object of this invention is the production of new and improved telephone substations with secre- 1'3 tary service equipment by which the scoretary, after answering a call, may signal the wanted person to call him to his telephone and x inform him of the nature of the call and who the calling subscriber is, without the calling 59 subscriber being aware that this is being done, that is, without the calling subscriber hearing the conversation between the wanted subarrangement may also be used as an intercommunicating system between one person and his stenographer, and may also be used for ordinary buzzer or signalling purposes.

tures not specifically mentioned, and the operation of the equipment will be described'in detail with the aid of the accompanying drawings comprising Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 shows the circuit arrangement of the equip mentandalso the wiring between the difi'erent parts of the equipment. Figure 2 is a perspective of the key and cradle switch mechanism,-showing three self-locking keys, which are mounted on the desk stand (not Another feature of the invention is that the These features, together with other feashown), and. the unlocking arrangement controlled by the cradle switclnthe invention being. illustrated in connection with telephone sets of the cradletype.

In Figure 1, the telephone set and the associated equipment for the manager, for example, is shown between the two middle dotted vertical lines and includes a hand telephone comprising the receiver R and the transmitter T; a desk stand which includes the dial D, induction coil I, condenser CC, self-locking keys K1, K2, K3, controlled by the cradle switch; and a bell box which houses the bells M, the bells P, the buzzer B, and the relay 50. The managers main exchange telephone line terminates at the bell box terminails 1 and 2; his PAX telephone'line terminates at the bell box terminals 3 and 4'. Conductors 41 and 42 extending from terminals 6 and 7 to the PAX switchboard and are connected to the exchange battery through the impedance Y.

The secretarys' telephone equipment is identical to the managers telephone equipment, and the terminals of her bell box are multiply connected to the corresponding terminals of the managers bell box, with'the. exception of terminal 5.

The main exchange main automatic exchange'i'n the individual rotary 'lineswit'ch LS and is accessible thereat in the banks of local connectors such as connector C. The line extending to the PAX terminates in the rotary lineswitch LS and is accessible thereat in the banks of local connectorssuch as connector C. This arrangement is shown'for illustrative purposes only.

, Other possible arrangements include those in which the main exchange line passes through the PAX attendants cabinet or terminates thereat in a jack, in which case the attendant has controlv of the completion of main exchange connections.

Before. describing the operation of this equip-mentindetail, a description of the mechanical arrangement of the self-locking keys I -K1,K2, and K3 and'the manner in which they are unlocked under the controlof the cradle switch as shown in Fig. 2 will be described.

The cradle switch mechanism comprises a line terminates at the i projection 5 as was key' lever 7 pivoted on the pin 6 and having two .rollers 9,"9'- attached to one end and havingagainst the roller 8 under the tension ofspring 3. The keys K1, K2, K3, when deac tuated are held in position'underthe tension of springs 16 16 and a corresponding spring for key K (not shown).

The mechanism is shown in the position it assumes when the hand telephone 17 is removed from its cradle 10. In removing the hand telephone from its cradle, the lever 7 with its extension arm 7' is rotated to its alternative position shown by reason of rollers 9, 9' being forced under the tension of the cradle switch springs 11, 12, into the V-shaped recesses at the end of these springs. Since the locking bar 2 is maintained against the roller 8, it slides to the right toits locking position.

Now when any one of the keys, key K1, for example (which is shown operated) is depressed, the pin 4' fastened to the guiding plunger 18' of the key pushes the locking bar 2 to the left until the pin 4 slides past the projection 5' whereupon the locking bar 2 again slides back to its locking position. The

key K1 is now locked in its operated position as shown by reason of pin 4' being held 11nderneath projection 5'. g

If now another key, such as-key K2, is depressed, locking bar2 is again moved'to the left by in 4 As a result, pin 4' of key Kl is allowed to slide past the end of the projection 5',,permitting the key K to be restored to its normal'position, under the tension of the spring 16'. Key K2, however, is now locked by reasonof-pin 4? bein held underneath 1. In the same manner, if two keys are pressed simultaneous- 1y, both will be locked. Thus when any one or more keys areactuated, they are locked in position, and the key or keys previously operated are unlocked.

When therhand telephone is re laced in its cradle, the plunger 14 is force downward causing the arm 7'with its projection 7 to rotate to its normal position. Roller 8in moving-upward slides the locking bar 2 to the unlocking such keys as may be locked. 9, 9', in moving upward, force springs 11 and 12 outward, thereby causing the separation of springs 12 and 11 from their working V erates key K1. These operations bridge his springs. a

For the purpose of deserlbmg the general and 12' to close.

operation of the equipment in detail, it will first be assumed that a call is extendedfrom the main automatic exchange to the line com]- prising conductors 21 and 22 by way of the connector C. After connection thereto has been extended, ringing current is intermittently applied to the line conductors from the connector C in the ordinary way, which causes the ringing of the bells M at the managers bell box and also the bells M at the secretarys bell box. The manager need pay no attention to the'ringing of his bells at this time. The secretary, to answer the call, removes her hand telephone from the cradle and, knowing that the call is from the main exchange by the distinctive sound of the bells M, plresses key K12., Removing the hand telep one from the cradle allows springs 11' Pressing key K12 causes springs 35 and 36' to disengage their resting contacts and engage their working 'con tacts, thereby bridging the telephone set across the lineconductors 21 and 22. This trips the ring in the connector C in the main automaftic exchange, causing the connector C to complete the talking connection. The secretary now converses with the calling subscriber to learn the nature of the call and the identity of the calling subscriber.

If the manager is not in his ofiice, the secretary, will, of course, so inform the calling subscriber. If the manager is in his ofiice, the secretary will first speak with the manager. To do so, she presses both keys K11 and Kl3 simultaneously. These two keys look, while key K12 is unlocked and restored. The operation of key K13 causes spring 37 to engage its working contact and thereby bridge resistance R11 across the line conductors 21 and 22 .to maintain the connection with the calling subscriber intact. Pressing key K11 causes springs 33' and 34'-to disengage their resting contacts and engage their working contacts, thereby bridging the secretarys telephone across the 'intercommunieating conductors 41 and 42 in series with relay 50'. Since conductors 41' and 42', across which the PAX battery is bridged in series with impedance Y, are connected to the intercommunicating conductors 41 and 42, a circuit is now closed for relay 50'. Relay 50' operates and at contacts 52' closes the circuit for buzzer B at the managers desk, this circuit including conductors 41, 41, contacts 52', conductor 43, contacts 41, buzzer B,.; and conductor 42'. Buzzer B operates (buzzer B as well as buzzer B being of the type in which the deactuation of the buzzer armature is brought about by the energization of a difiere'ntlal winding when the armature is attracted) and signals the manager. The manager upon hearing the buzzer B, removes his telep one from its cradle and optelephone across the communicating conduction.

secretary that he is too. busy to answer the call at the time or does not desire to talk with the particular person calling, the sec;- retary againdepresses. key K12 which operation unlocks keys K11 and K13 and allows them to restore, and. again bridges the secretarys telephone across conductors 21 and 22. She may then converse with the calloperated at the time.

ing subscriber again and inform him that the manager is not available at this time.

If the manager desires to talk with the calling subscriber, however, he will depress key K2. Depressing key K2 unlocks key K1,

and bridges his telephone set across the line conductors 21 and22. The manager may now talk with the calling subscriber.

After the secretar notes that the manager is conversing with t 1e calling subscriber, she

replaces her telephone in its cradle, which operation causes the separation of the springs 11 and 12' andalso unlocks the key or keys When the manager has finished conversation, he restores his telephone to its cradle causing the separation of springs 11 and 12 and the restoration of key K I To answer a call coming in over the private branch exchange line comprising conductors 31 and 32, the secretary need only to remove her telephone from thecradle and begin conversation, since the telephone conductors 23 .and'24 are normally connectedto the PAX line conductors 31 and 32, re-

spectively. Again she may signal the manager, by depressing the key K11, (it beingunnecessary to depress key K13 in this case) and he may answer the secretary after depressing the key K1. If the manager wishes to converse with the calling subscriber on the private automatic exchange, the man-v ager need only press the cradle switch control button momentarily which -unlocks' key K1, after which his telephone is again bridged across the PAX line conductors 31 and 32. 'He may then commence conversation with the calling. PAX subscriber.

The arrangement may also be used as an intercommunicating system between 'the manager and his secretary. The manner in which the secretary may call the'manager has already been described, that is, she removes her telephone from the cradle rest and then depresses the key K11, which causes the buzzer B to operate and signal the man- -ager. The manager, in the same manner may call the secretary by removing his telephone from the cradle rest and operating key K1. This procedure causes the operation of relay 50,.similar to manner in which relay 50. was operated and, assuming that the secretary has her telephone in its cradle, closes the circuit for buzzer B at the. secretarys position at contacts 52. The secretary answers by removing her telephone from its cradle and operating key K11. Relay 50 operates and by separating contacts 51 opens the circuit of. buzzer B.

moving his telephone .from its cradle and operating the key K1 or K11, as the case may be, and as soon as the other person answers his buzzer stops signalling.

The manager as well as the secretary may make outgoing calls either to the main automatic exchange or tolthe private branch exchange. tary w1sh to extend a call to a subscriber served by the private automatic exchange,

she merely removes her telephone from its cradle and dialsthecallednumberin the usual way. The lineswitch LSoperates responsive on to the removal of the telephone from its cradle, and selects an idle selector (not shown), and-automatic switches in the private automatic exchange operate responsive to the digits dialled. To extend acall to the main automatic exchange, the secretary removes her telephonefrom its cradle, then depresses key K12, thereby bridging her telephone set across the line conductor. to the main automatic exchange, and then dials the called number. Removing her telephone from its cradle of course in either-case at first bridges the telephone across the private automatic exchange line conductors, and causes the operation of the lineswitch LS. When the secretary depresses the'key K12, however, the telephone is removed from in bridge-of these conductors and is bridged across the main exchange line conductors. causingthe operation of the lineswitch LS inthe main automatic exchange and the release of the lineswitch 'JS in the private automatic exchange.

The manager 'may in like manner complete connections to the private automatic exchange or the main automatic exchange.

The invention has been illustrated in connection with lines from a main automatic exchange andfrom a private automatic exchange. The'same equipment obviously may also .be used 1n connection with lines from either a manual or automatic main exchange For example, should the secre-' Thus, either may .signal the other by merely reand either aprivatemanual or automatic branch exchange, or may also be used in connection with two lines from one exchange,

it being desirable occasionally for a subscribiti. this one telephone er to have two separate lines. equipment of course only would be required.

A particular feature of the arrangement is thntn second call coming in over one i 1 1 I hnmwmnmhnnmmnnn the manager is conversing over the other line, or vice versa. Also, an outgoing call may be made over either line from either "telephone while an incoming call over the other line is being answered from the other telephone. y

This completes the description of the invention. What is thought to be new and is desired to have protected by Letters Patent is specifically stated in the appended claims.

- \Vhat is claimed is:

1. In a telephone system, a main exchange line, a branch exchange line, and two telephones terminating said lines from either of which a call to either of saidlines may be' answered independent of any operation at the other telephone.

. 2. In a telephone system, a main exchange line, a branch exchange line, two telephones terminating said lines from either of which a call to either of said lines may be answered independent of any operation at the other telephone, and means forestablishing a talking connection between said telephones independent of either of said lines.

3. In a telephone system, a main exchange line, a branch exchange line, two telephones terminating said lines from either of which a call to either of said lines may be answered independent of any operation at the other telephone, and from either of which one of two simultaneous calls to said lines may be answered while the other call is being answered from the other telephone.

4. In a telephone system, two telephones,,a pair of intelrcommunicating conductors, connecting means at each telephone for connecting it to said conductors, a signal at each telephone, a signalling conductor, and means at each telephone responsive to the operation of the connecting means at the telephone for closing an operating circuit for the signal at p the other telephone including one of said intercommunicating conductors and said signalling conductor in series, providing the connecting means at the other telephone is not operated, and for interrupting the operating circuit for the signal at the first telephone, providing it has been closed responsive to the operation of the connec ting means at the other telephone;

-5. In a telephone system, two telephones, a pair of intercommunicating conductors, a signal at each telephone, a signalling conductor, meansat the first telephone operable at will for closing a circuit including one of said intercommunicating conductors and said signalling conductor in series to start the operation of the signal at the second telephone, connecting means for connecting the second tele- 'phone to said intercommunicating conductors, and means responsive to the operation of said connecting means for" closmg a circuit including one of said interoommunicating cnnannnnn nnnnn .,the operation of said first means.

- 6. In a cradle-ty e telephone stand, a set of keys, a locking h ar for lockin said keys when operated, a lever pivoted etween its ends, a control button'for operating said lever, switch springs, aset of rollers mounted on said lever for controlling said switch springs, an extension armintegral with said lever, a roller mounted on said extension arm and adapted to roll over the end of said locking bar and move said bar laterally to unlock any actuated keywhen said lever is operated by said control button.

7. In a telephone stand, a key, a locking bar for'locking said key when the key is operated, switch springs, a lever, a cam mounted on one'end of said lever and adapted to controhsaid springs, means for operatin said, lever, an extension arm integral wit said one end of the lever, and a cam mounted on said extension arm and adapted to move said locking bar to unlock said key when said lever is operated.

8. In a hand type telephone stand, a key, means for locking said'key when it is operated, switch springs for completing the talking circuit of the telephone, a. lever for unlocking said key and for controlling said switch springs, and means for operating said liver;1 when the telephone is placed on the s an 9. In a telephone system, a telephone stand,.

hand type telephone, a talking circuit control switch actuated by the telephone responsive to its being taken into use, a line connecting key, and a locking arrangement for said key controlled by said switch.

11. A telephone set including a receiver normally adapted to rest on a supporting member when'not in use, a line connecting key, a locking mechanism forsaid key, and

arrangements whereby said. locking inechanism is rendered effective responsive to the receiver belng removed from the supporting member and disabled responsive to its replacement thereon. a

12. A telephone set including a receiver operated swltch for completing the talln'ng 7 circuit of the set, a plurality of manually operable keys, a common locking mechanism for said keys rendered effective to hold operated keys in that position by the operation of said switch, and arrangements whereby a key.

locked in operated position may be released by the subsequent operation-of another key and said other key locked in operated posi- 7 tion.

13. A telephone set including a stand, a hand type telephone, a telephone operated talking circuit control switch, a plurality'of keys, a common lockin mechanism for said keys whereby any com ination of the keys may be simultaneousl locked in operated positions, and mechanism for releasing said keys controlled by the switch.

14. A telephone set including a stand, a hand type telephone, a'telephone o erated switch, aplurahty of keys, a common ocking mechanism for said keys controlled by the switch, and talking circuits controlled jointly by the switch and said keys.

i5. In a telephone system, two subscribers lines, a substation telephone set terminating said lines, a plurality of keys associated with said set, means responsive to the operation of one of said keys for connecting one of said lines to said set, and means responsive to the operation of another of said keysfor connecting a holding bridge acres said line, for dis connecting the line from the set, and for connectin the other of said lines to said set.

16. n a telephone system, a first subscribers line, a second subscribers line, & substation telephone set terminating said lines, means for connecting either hne to the set, means for extending a connection we said first line, and means whereby said first hne is disconnected from the set and connected to a holding bridge responsive to the connection of said second line to the set.

17. In a telephone set including a receiver operated talking control switch, line connecting keys, a signal control key, and a com- I men 1 mechanism for said keys controlled by said'switch.

In witnem whereof, I hereunto subscribe mgy27 name this 19th day of December, A. D. 1 o

NDBMAN 'HERBEBTSAUNDERS. In witness whcreofiI hereunto subscribe my name this 19th daynf- December, A. D.

CLARENCE E. LOMAX. In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe name this lflthday of December, A, D.

'rnnononn c. Risen. 

